1) pre-acceleration
- think this is the logical way to go as people go earlier in deal flow. EF is doing that, as well as an Italian experiment I've heard.
- However, it still doesn't preclude that accelerators will still be around and/or increase. Reason is that accelerators are just simply better at doing early stage investing - at being to select, coach and mentor, and establishing network effects for alumni.2) Shift towards vertical accelerators
- true. There are specific domains that need verticals, because entrepreneurs need partners to break into domains. Our Barclays partnership is one for Fintech.
- This also has to happen because the business model needs to evolve re. point 5 below. Cash flow becomes much more important with accelerators and partnership helps.3) changing relationship between corporate and accelerators
- true - and has to happen irregardless. It's just a natural state of evolution between incumbents and innovators.4) Consolidation
- Not sure how this'll work. Consolidation is an easy word to throw around, but re. my point 1 on why accelerators are better at early stage investing, I'm not sure where consolidation really helps other than establish alumni network effects. And I find it conceptually difficult to understand how this will be possible, ie. have collegiate/MBA programs every consolidated well?5) Business model needs to evolve
- Yes true. see rebuttal from point 2